The moment those words fell, every Councilor, including Councilor Org, turned a hostile gaze toward Makarov.
They could argue among themselves behind closed doors all they wanted, but when it came to preserving the Council's dignity, they stood united.
Makarov barging into a high-level meeting like this had crossed a line, straight into their bottom line.
Councilor Yajima, who had once been a Fairy Tail member himself and had decades of friendship with Makarov, saw the atmosphere tightening like a noose and hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Colleagues, Guild Master Makarov is only worried about his children. He was simply a bit too anxious. Please be understanding. We can talk this out properly."
After calming the other Councilors, Yajima left his seat and walked to Makarov, taking his hand and speaking earnestly.
"Li'l Makarov, the Council truly handled this poorly. But the Chairman and the Councilors never intended to actually do anything to Gray. They only thought that since he is Ur's disciple, he might understand the magic on Deliora. They wanted to invite him here and ask a few questions."
"Hmph. The tone of that letter didn't sound like 'asking a few questions' at all."
Makarov snorted back sharply, but he did not pull away from Yajima's grip.
Yajima, who knew his temperament well, finally breathed easier.
Then he turned and looked over Kabe, who had entered alongside Makarov. His eyes lit up and he praised him.
"So it really is little Kabe. It's been years. You've grown so much, I nearly didn't recognize you."
Kabe, who had met this old senior twice before with Makarov, smiled and nodded politely, lifting a hand in greeting.
"Long time no see, Grandpa Yajima. You still look strong. The Guild Master and I can finally relax."
"Mhm. Such a good child."
Touched, Yajima sighed, then glanced at Makarov with guilt.
"Ah… I really am getting old and useless. I even had to trouble you and Li'l Makarov to come all this way."
Makarov, of course, did not blame him. He rolled his eyes with a bad-tempered look, then patted Yajima's hand.
"Don't say that. You've helped me plenty over the years."
After the brief reunion, Makarov finally raised his head and looked toward the main seat, where the Chairman and several Councilors still simmered with anger. His voice dropped, heavy and firm.
"Everyone, no matter how you slice it, the Deliora incident is the Council's negligence. And there is no chance I hand Gray over to be interrogated.
"If it comes to it, I will send letters to the local guild masters and ask for their opinions. If they also believe this is Fairy Tail's fault, then you do not even need to say a word. I will resign my title as one of the Ten Wizard Saints and accept whatever judgment you decide."
That pressing, uncompromising stance made the expressions of the Councilors stiffen.
This was their mistake to begin with. Even inside the Council, not many people knew the full truth. How could they dare let the information leak, letting even more people discover it?
And Makarov had invoked his status as one of the Ten Wizard Saints.
That title was not just a rank. It symbolized ten mages recognized across Ishgar for strength, reputation, and character, the strongest of the strong.
They did not have the courage to truly push him into a corner. If not for his restraint, Fairy Tail would not have survived all its past "incidents" with nothing but verbal reprimands.
Most importantly, Crawford suddenly remembered another Wizard Saint, an old senior with countless threads of connection to Fairy Tail.
The moment Crawford imagined what would happen if that person learned he was deliberately targeting Fairy Tail like this, cold sweat beaded across his forehead.
And so, something almost magical happened.
Crawford, who had been wearing a furious face just a moment ago, performed a flawless "face change" right there in front of everyone.
His fat face forced out a smile, and his tone softened as he admitted fault.
"Guild Master Makarov is correct. The Council's handling of certain aspects… truly lacked proper consideration."
As he spoke, he waved toward the frog-faced man who had been kneeling by the door, trembling from the moment Makarov stormed in.
"Groe. Bring two chairs for Guild Master Makarov and this… ah, young man."
The frog-man Groe snapped his head up in shock. He stared at the Chairman, frozen for a few seconds, making sure he had not misheard.
Then he hurriedly acknowledged and rushed to bring them chairs.
"Guild Master Makarov, Mr. Kabe, please sit."
Groe invited them in with extreme politeness, then, without needing further orders, quickly withdrew from the meeting room.
Before closing the door, he cast another astonished look at the two of them, silently etching this moment into memory. He was already planning to share it with his people later.
With chairs offered, neither of them held back.
Makarov pulled his chair over and sat at the far end of the round table, directly facing Crawford at the head.
Kabe drifted to Grandpa Yajima's side and sat close, taking the empty seat on Yajima's right.
The instant Kabe's backside touched the chair, a cold snort came from across the table.
Kabe looked up.
And there it was. An old man with an ugly expression, his face somehow cat-like, staring at him with clear hostility.
Michello, Third Seat of the Council.
Just like Org of the Second Seat, this one had always despised Fairy Tail and its habit of causing trouble.
Kabe's mind immediately pulled up the file on him.
When Michello saw Kabe looking over, he snorted again, then turned away, dismissing Kabe as a nobody unworthy of attention.
Kabe did not indulge that attitude for even a second.
He lifted his chin and shot back, loud and arrogant, straight to the face.
"What are you snorting for? You useless piece of trash. You could not even guard a frozen statue, and you still dare to throw attitude at me.
"And you still have the nerve, with that shameless face, to demand people from us.
"Do you believe me when I say this. If the mages of the northern continent find out about the stupidity you pulled, they might storm the Council themselves and peel that cat-skin right off you on Org's behalf!"
Those words were so blunt, so viciously direct, that Michello's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
He leapt onto the table, about to lunge at Kabe like a madman.
But a female Councilor with long pale-gray hair grabbed him tightly and forced him back down.
"Tsk. So close."
Kabe wore an expression of deep regret as he withdrew the golden light that had already begun to gather at his fingertip. He folded his arms and sank lazily back into the chair.
Everyone in the room twitched at the corner of their mouths.
They all suspected that if Belno, the pale-gray-haired Councilor, had not held Michello back, this brat would have actually attacked in public.
Councilor Org could not swallow it either. Like he always did, he turned his anger onto Makarov.
"Guild Master Makarov, the brat from your guild is far too rude."
But Makarov, upon hearing that, erupted with terrifying magic power, a pressure so heavy it made everyone present feel their hearts clamp tight.